SCRLC Education and Training Program

Serving Librarians and Staff in 14 New York State Counties

Continuing education has been one of our best known and most requested services for many years. It has grown and changed to meet new needs and new technologies; it has changed to meet the stresses of lean funding, lack of time, the geography of the region, and the need for more hands-on training.  

Heavy library use in the new, challenging economic climate has intensified the need for libraries to update the skills and knowledge of their staffs in the most time- and dollar-effective means available. Rapid changes in services, technology, and users’ expectations require ongoing, continuous training. New skills need to be specialized and focused, but they also need to include big picture thinking and flexibility.

SCRLC provides training for all levels of library staff: directors, librarians, and assistants,  in all types of libraries: public, academic, school, healthcare, museum, court, and special. In 2008, 780 attendees participated in 40 one-day sessions on reference, PDF technology, grant writing, Second Life, Internet communication tools, copyright, and digitization. A potent combination of Library Aid, grants, collaboration, and frugal management kept workshop fees at an affordable level of $35-55 per attendee.